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An advanced brain scanning technique has shown for the first time in humans how concussion damages the brain and its wiring, findings that cast doubt on the effectiveness of conventional assessment tools used by doctors. This new understanding of the physical damage to the brain and the time frame for recovery suggests athletes should not be cleared to play less than two weeks after a concussion and should probably be shelved much longer, said Alex Rauscher, an MRI scientist and Canada Research Chair in the department of pediatrics at the University of British Columbia.

The pain medication most often given to premature babies that require assistance breathing may be damaging their brains. Morphine — often prescribed to early pre-term babies for the pain of breathing with a ventilator — is associated with reduced cerebellum size as well as motor and cognitive problems at 18 months, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of British Columbia. The cerebellum of infants given morphine were up to 8.1-per-cent smaller than those not administered the widely used opiate painkiller.

The rat gamblers were fine until University of B.C. researchers added flashing lights and music to the experiment. Then the problems started. Instead of gambling responsibly for sugary treats at their “rat casino,” the rats made riskier decisions.

Showing that brain scans can pinpoint the differences between post-traumatic stress disorder and a blow to the head has landed the work of Dr. Rob Tarzwell on Discovery Magazine’s top 100 list. Tarzwell practises psychiatry and nuclear medicine at Lion’s Gate Hospital in North Vancouver. He’s also a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of B.C.

Franco Cavaleri struck gold with Canadian competitive bodybuilding titles 20 years ago, but as a current PhD candidate at UBC medical school, he’s attracting scrutiny over claims about other titles before his name — that he’s a doctor and a professor — neither of which is true.

The John Volken Academy, a Surrey addiction treatment centre, will soon host research that looks at using technology to treat mental illness. Officials announced Thursday that a new position has been created to oversee studies funded by $1.25 million from the John Volken Academy, the City of Surrey and the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society.

Whether as individuals or groups, as long as we stick to old models of thinking, we will continue to make the same mistakes. That’s the conclusion Andy Hira, a Simon Fraser University political science professor, reaches in his book Three Perspectives on Irrationality: The Book of Rules, which draws on the latest findings in neuroscience, animal behaviour and economic anthropology.

Michael Gordon is looking deep into the neural circuitry of fruit flies for clues about how creatures higher up the food chain decide what to eat and how much. With just one millionth the brain cells of a human being, the fruit fly still exhibits a complex array of behaviours in response to sweetness, bitterness and hunger, said Gordon, a researcher at the University of B.C. and speaker at the 9th annual meeting of the Canadian Association for Neuroscience in Vancouver. The neural networks that govern feeding, which are easily observed in fruit flies, may be a template for similar systems in more complex creatures.

There is little enough money available for seniors’ housing and care that it’s shocking and disappointing to find that scarce resources are being squandered. Yet that’s one of the conclusions in a housing study by B.C.’s seniors advocate, Isobel Mackenzie.

Surrey is about to become the Western Canadian leader in brain imaging. Two pieces of state-of-the-art medical equipment that are coming to Surrey Memorial Hospital are game-changers, says Simon Fraser University neuroscience professor Ryan D’Arcy.

Researchers at the University of B.C. have found the root cause of brain swelling created by strokes and head injuries, a discovery that could guide future drug development. A description of the key chemical pathway that leads to brain swelling — or edema — was published Thursday in the scientific journal Cell by a team from the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health.

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